Measuring device for amount of charge of toner and image forming apparatus having the measuring device

Abstract: A measuring device for an amount of charge of toner including countered first and second electrodes for forming an electric field which accelerates toner particles, a voltage generator (8) for applying a voltage across the first and second electrodes, a magnifying optical system (6) for magnifying the image of toner particles which move between the first and the second electrodes, a light source (15) for illuminating a vicinity of a focus of the magnifying optical system, a CCD sensor (7) for receiving an optical image of the toner particles magnified by the magnifying optical system so as to convert the optical image into an image signal and a CPU (10) for controlling a voltage from the voltage generator based upon the image signal so that the toner particles pass a prescribed position in the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system and for obtaining an amount of charge of toner particles from a value of the voltage, and an image forming apparatus in which the measuring device is installed. The measuring device for an amount of charge of toner becomes compact, so it can be installed in an image forming apparatus.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a measuring device for an amount of charge of toner particles and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine having the measuring device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As a measuring method for an amount of charge of toner, a blow-off method is known. In the blow-off method, a two-component developer composed of toner particles and carrier particles is placed on a retaining member having meshes which are bigger than a diameter of a toner particle and are smaller than a diameter of a carrier particle, and only the toner particles are blown off by dry air blow (for example, nitrogen). Then, an amount of charge of carrier remaining on the retaining member is measured so that an amount of charge of toner is obtained by the weight. However, with the blow-off method, since a measured value changes with flow of dry air blow and a time required for measurement, it is difficult to measure an accurate amount of charge of toner. Moreover, distribution of the amount of charge cannot be obtained. Further, since a Mono component developer does not include carriers, an amount of charge of toner cannot be theoretically measured by using the Mono component developer. The Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP-A-Sho 57-79958 discloses the following method. Toner particles are introduced into a chamber where air blow has been sent at a uniform speed and a uniform electric field has been formed, the toner particles which have passed through the electric field are accumulated on a sheet and distribution of the toner particle on the sheet is measured so that distribution of a relative amount of charge of toner is obtained. However, in the above method, since it is necessary to take out sheets where the toner particles are accumulated for every measurement, there exists a problem that successive measurement cannot be made. Moreover, there exists a problem that an amount of charge of each toner particle cannot be measured. The Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP-A-Sho 61-277071 discloses the following method. Toner particles are allowed to freely fall to a vertical passage where an electric field has been formed, a laser beam is irradiated to toner which passes a measurement position and a speed of the toner particles is measured from Doppler frequency of a scattered light so that an amount of charge and distribution of the amount of charge are obtained. However, in this method, since momentum of the toner particles is small, the toner particles adhere to a wall surface of the passage. Therefore, there exists a problem that it is difficult for the toner particles to pass the measurement position. Furthermore, since toner is usually black, if a strong laser beam is not irradiated, a scattered light having strength necessary for measurement cannot be obtained. For this reason, since a large-size laser such as a He-Ne laser, or an Ar laser is required, there exists a problem that a measuring device becomes larger. In addition, the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP-A-Hei 4-25772 discloses the following method. Toner particles which fly at uniform flow velocity in an electric field are observed by using a magnifying optical system, and a diameter and displacement of the toner particles are obtained by image-processing observed data so that an amount of charge of toner is obtained. However, in this method, since an observation range is narrow, it is necessary to scan an observation region in order to observe all the toner particles. For this reason, there exists the same problem as in the above-mentioned methods that a measuring device becomes larger. As mentioned above, since a measuring device is large even if any of the above methods is used, there exists a problem that the measuring device is difficult to be installed in an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine. Moreover, since toner particles are extracted as sample so that an amount of charge of the sample is measured, there exists a problem that an amount of charge of toner at the time of image formation cannot be obtained. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is desirable to provide a small-sized measuring device for an amount of charge of toner which is capable of being installed in an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, and to provide an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, which is capable of obtaining an amount of charge of toner at the time of image formation by installing the measuring device. This objet is achieved by the measuring device defined by claim 1. According to the device of claim 1, it is possible to obtain the amount of charge of toner particles by illuminating only the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system. For this reason, a small-sized light source is sufficient. Moreover, a scan system for observing a wide region is not required. As a result, the measuring device for an amount of charge of toner becomes compact, thereby making it possible to install the same in an image forming apparatus. In a further aspect, the present invention provides the image forming apparatus defined by claim 16. According to the apparatus of claim 16, since the amount of charge of toner at the time of image formation can be obtained, the amount of charge of toner can be set to an optimum value. This makes it possible to obtain an image of high quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a constitutional drawing of a copying machine which schematically shows a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an explanatory drawing which shows a constitution of a chamber in the copying machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a constitutional drawing of a copying machine which schematically shows a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is an explanatory drawing which shows a constitution of a chamber in the copying machine shown in Fig. 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the following description will discuss a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, a copying machine (image forming apparatus) of the present invention includes a drum-like electrode 41, a developing unit 5 and a measuring section for an amount of charge of toner 20. The developing unit 5 is arranged so as to have an agitating roller 53 for agitating a two-component developer composed of non-magnetic toner particles and magnetic carrier particles, a magnet roller 51 for carrying the agitated developer to the electrode 41 and a blade 52 for keeping a layer thickness of the developer on the magnet roller 51 constant. The drum-like electrode 41 is arranged so as to approach or contact with the developer on the magnet roller 51. The agitating roller 53, the magnet roller 51 and the electrode 41 are respectively rotated by driving means such as a motor (not shown). The measuring section for an amount of charge of toner 20 includes an extraction opening 3 for extraction of toner particles placed adjacent to the electrode 41, a chamber 1 for measurement of an amount of charge of toner and a pump 2 for generating air flow in the z-axis direction in order to lead the extracted toner particles to the chamber 1. Here, the z-axis is an axis which is in a vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the chamber 1 is placed so that its length is parallel to the z-axis direction. The chamber 1 includes windows 12a and 12b (first and second windows), which are orthogonal to the x-axis and arranged opposite to each other, and electrodes 11a and 11b (first and second electrodes), which are orthogonal to the y-axis and are opposite to each other. The windows 12a and 12b are composed of a light transmitting material such as glass, and on their inner surfaces, a conductive coating with high resistance, which has the light transmitting property and shows a uniform resistance value, is formed. At both ends of the electrodes 11a and 11b on the conductive coating having high resistance in the windows 12a and 12b, electrode sections are provided along sides of the windows 12a and 12b. The electrode section on the electrode 11a side of the conductive coating having high resistance in the window 12a is electrically connected with the electrode 11a, and the electrode section on the electrode 11b side of the conductive coating having high resistance in the window 12b is electrically connected with the electrode 11b. Moreover, the electrode section on the electrode 11b side of the conductive coating having high resistance in the window 12a can be electrically connected with and also insulated from the electrode 11b by a switch (not shown), and the electrode section on the electrode 11a side of the conductive coating having high resistance in the window 12b can be electrically connected with and also insulated from the electrode 11a by a switch (not shown). The measuring section 20 for an amount charge of toner further includes a light source 15, a magnifying optical system 6, a CCD (charge coupled device) sensor 7, an image processing unit 9, a voltage generator 8 and a CPU (central processing unit) 10 (control means). The light source 15 irradiates light through the window 12a to toner particles which pass through the chamber 1, the magnifying optical system 6 is used for observing toner particles through the window 12b, the CCD sensor 7 receives an optical image of the toner particles which have been magnified by the magnifying optical system 6 and converts the optical image into an image signal, the image processing unit 9 extracts a locus of a movement of the toner particles from the image signal obtained by the CCD sensor 7, the voltage generator 8 applies a voltage V1 to the electrode 41 and applies a voltage V across the electrodes 11a and 11b in the chamber 1, and the CPU 10 controls the voltage V from the voltage generator 8 so that the toner particles pass a position in the vicinity of a focus of the magnifying optical system 6 based upon the locus of the movement of the toner particles extracted in the image processing unit 9. In the above arrangement, a two-component developer is agitated by the agitating roller 53 and carried to the electrode 41 by the magnet roller 51. In this process, the developer is charged. When a voltage whose polarity is opposite to that of the charged developer is applied to the electrode 41, only the toner particles of the developer on the magnet roller 51 adhere to the electrode 41. When the toner particles on the electrode 41 come above the extraction opening 3, the voltage V1 whose polarity is same as that of the charged toner particles is applied to the electrode 41 from the voltage generator 8. As a result, the toner particles on the electrode 41 receive electrostatic force (repulsive force) and are removed from the electrode 41 so as to be sucked into the extraction opening 3 by the pump 2. The sucked toner particles are led to the chamber 1 for measurement. The voltage V is applied across the electrodes 11a and 11b in the chamber 1 from the voltage generator 8. The electrode sections of the conductive coatings having high resistance on the windows 12a and 12b can be electrically connected with the respective electrodes 11b and 11a by the above-mentioned switches. In this case, since electric current flows in the conductive coating having high resistance, a uniform electric field is formed between the electrodes 11a and 11b. Furthermore, even if the toner particles adhere to the wall of the chamber 1, turbulence of the electric field can be restricted to a minimum. The toner particles enter the chamber 1 along the z-axis at a speed of v0 by air blow. In the chamber 1, the toner particles receive force of qE in a y-axis direction and force of mg in a z-axis direction. Here, q represents an amount of charge of tone particles, E represents the electric field in the chamber 1, m represents mass of the toner particles and g represents gravitational acceleration. The locus of the movement of the toner particles is caught by the magnifying optical system 6 and the CCD sensor 7, and is analyzed by the image processing unit 9 and the CPU 10. Then, the voltage V is applied across the electrodes 11a and 11b from the voltage generator 8 based upon a command from the CPU 10 so that the toner particles pass a prescribed position in the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system 6. An amount of charge of the toner particles can be obtained from a value of the voltage V. In the case where the inside of the chamber 1 is to be cleaned, the electrode sections on the conductive coatings having high resistance in the windows 12a and 12b are electrically cut off by the switches from the electrodes 11b and 11a respectively and an alternating voltage is applied from the voltage generator 8 so that an alternating electric field is formed between the electrodes 11a and 11b. Because of the electrical connections between the electrode sections on the conductive coatings having high resistance in the windows 12a and 12b, and the electrodes 11a and 11b respectively the alternating voltage is also applied across these conductive coatings. As a result, dust such as toner particles which adheres to the windows 12a and 12b is removed from the inner wall of the chamber 1 and is eliminated by air blow. Here, the voltage V1 for extracting the toner particles is applied across the electrode 41 and the ground, but it is preferable that the extraction opening 3 is connected with the ground and an insulating film is formed on a surface of the extraction opening 3 which is opposite to the electrode 41. The windows 12a and 12b having conductive coatings having high resistance can be obtained by, for specific example, depositing (SnO 2 + Cr) whose film thickness is 0.13 µm on glass. Electric sheet resistance of the conductive coating is approximately 3.0 kΩ/cm 2 . As mentioned above, the voltage V is applied to between the electrodes 11a and 11b from the voltage generator 8 so that the toner particles pass the prescribed position in the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system 6, and the amount of charge of toner is obtained from a value of the voltage V. With this arrangement, only the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system 6 should be illuminated. For this reason, the small-sized light source 15 is sufficient. Moreover, a scan system for measurement which covers a wide region is not required. As a result, the measuring section 20 for an amount of charge of toner becomes compact and thereby easily installed in a copying machine. In addition, since the amount of charge of toner is measured by extracting the toner particles from the developing unit 5, the amount of charge of toner at the time of image formation can be obtained. The following description will discuss a second embodiment of the present invention referring to Figs. 3 and 4. Here, for convenience of explanation, those elements of the present embodiment that have the same arrangement and function, and that are mentioned in the aforementioned embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. As shown in Fig. 3, in a copying machine (image forming apparatus) of the present embodiment, a construction of the chamber 1 is different from that of the aforementioned embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the chamber 1 is arranged so that its length is parallel to the x-axis direction. The chamber 1 includes windows 14a and 14b (first and second windows), which are orthogonal to the y-axis and arranged opposite to each other, and electrodes 13a and 13b (first and second electrodes), which are orthogonal to z-axis and are opposite to each other. A slit-like opening 13c is provided on the electrode 13b on the upper side so that the toner particles from the extraction opening 3 are led into the chamber 1. Here, the light source 15 and the magnifying optical system 6, not shown, are provided so that they are respectively opposite to the windows 14a and 14b. With the above arrangement, the toner particles drawn from the extraction opening 3 pass through the slit-like opening 13c of the electrode 13b so as to fall into the chamber 1. In the chamber 1, air streams at a constant speed v0 in the x-axis direction by an action of the pump 2. First, the electrodes 13a and 13b are grounded and the speed at which the toner particles fall when the only vertically acting forces are due to gravity is obtained so that mass of the toner particles is obtained. Next, the voltage V is applied between the electrodes 13a and 13b from the voltage generator 8 based upon a command from and under the control of the CPU 10 so as to cause the toner particles to pass a prescribed position in the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system 6. The amount of charge of toner is obtained from the value of the voltage V which causes this to happen. In other words, when the voltage V is applied so that the direction of movement of the toner particles is along the x-axis, a formula: mg = qE is satisfied, i.e. the downwardly acting gravitational force is cancelled by the upward force on the charged particles due to the field E. Therefore, q can be obtained. Moreover, since a configuration and size of the toner particles can be observed by the magnifying optical system 6, the amount of charge by the weight of the toner particles can be also obtained. Furthermore, distribution of the amount of charge of toner can be also obtained by successively changing the voltage V and counting the number of the toner particles which pass the prescribed position. Here, it is preferable that the CCD sensor 7 is an area sensor which is capable of observing the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system 6, but a line sensor whose length is parallel to the z-axis direction is also preferable in the case where only the amount of charge of toner is obtained. As the light source 15, a light bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a high intensity LED (light emitting diode), a laser, etc. are used, but the light source 15 is not limited to them, so anything capable of obtaining a sufficient light amount for detection by the CCD sensor 7 may be used. If an area sensor is used as the CCD sensor 7 and a semiconductor laser is used as the light source 15 so that the semiconductor laser is allowed to irradiate in a prescribed cycle, the fall speed of the toner particles and the amount of charge of toner can be measured at the same time. In the above embodiment, in order to extract the toner particles, the drum-like electrode 41 was used, but instead of it, a photosensitive drum may be used. In the case of using the photosensitive drum, a prescribed electric potential is applied to a portion of a photosensitive layer and the toner particles are allowed to adhere thereto by a charging process and exposing process. Next, electric charges are removed from the portion where the toner particles adhere by exposing the portion, and the adhered toner particles should be removed. A developer is not limited to a two comporent developer, so a Mono component developer excluding carrier particles composed of a magnetic substance may be used. In addition, the above embodiments discussed the measurement of the amount of charge of toner illustrating a copying machine as an image forming apparatus, but the present invention is also applicable to the measurement of an amount of charge of toner in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer. As mentioned above, the first measuring device for an amount of charge of toner according to the present invention is arranged so as to have the opposing electrodes 11a and 11b, the voltage generator 8, the magnifying optical system 6, the light source 15, the CCD sensor 7 and the CPU 10. The electrodes 11a and 11b form an electric field for accelerating toner particles, the voltage generator 8 applying the voltage V across the electrodes 11a and 11b the magnifying optical system 6 magnifies the images of toner particles which move between the electrodes 11a and 11b, the light source 15 illuminates the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system 6, the CCD sensor 7 receives an optical image of toner particles magnified by the magnifying optical system 6 and converts the optical image into an image signal, and the CPU 10 controls the voltage V from the voltage generator 8 based upon an image signal so that the toner particles pass a prescribed position in the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system 6 and obtains the amount of charge of toner particles from a value of the voltage V. The above arrangement makes it possible to obtain the amount of charge of toner particles by illuminating only the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system 6. For this reason, a small-sized light source 15 is suitable. Moreover, a scan system for observing a wide region is not required. As a result, the measuring device for an amount of charge of toner becomes compact, thereby it can easily be installed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. As mentioned above, the second measuring device for an amount of charge of toner according to the present invention has an arrangement for preventing the toner particles from adhering to the light source 15 and the window 14a and for preventing the toner particles from adhering to the magnifying optical system 6 and the windows 14b as provided in the first measuring device. The windows 12a and 12b (or the windows 14a and 14b) are composed of a translucent substrate and the conductive coating having high resistance which has been formed on the toner particle side of the translucent substrate. The electrode 11a (or the electrode 13a) is connected with the electrode 11b (or the electrode 13b) through the conductive coating in the window 12a (or the window 14a) and through the conductive coating in the window 12b (or the window 14b). As a result, since the windows 12a and 12b (or the windows 14a and 14b) are provided, the light source 15 and the magnifying optical system 6 are not hardly soiled by toner particles. Moreover, since an electric current flows to the conductive coatings having high resistance in the windows 12a and 12b (or the windows 14a and 14b), an uniform electric field is formed between the electrodes 11a and 11b (or the electrodes 13a and 13b). Further, even if toner particles adhere to the windows 12a and 12b (or the windows 14a and 14b), turbulence of the electric field can be restricted to a minimum. This makes it possible to accurately measure an amount of charge of toner. As mentioned above, the third measuring device for an amount of charge of toner according to an embodiment of the present invention has an arrangement such that the window 12a (or the window 14a) for preventing toner particles from adhering to the light source 15 and the window 12b (or the window 14b) and for preventing toner particles from adhering to the magnifying optical system 6 as provided in the first measuring device for an amount of charge of toner. The windows 12a and 12b (or the windows 14a and 14b) are composed of a translucent substrate and a conductive coating having high resistance which has been formed on the toner particle side of the translucent substrate. The electrode 11a (or the electrode 13a) is connected with the conductive coating in the window 12a (or the window 14a), and the electrode 11b (or the electrode 13b) is connected to the conductive coating in the window 12b (or the window 14b). The above arrangements make it possible not only to clean dirt due to toner particles on the electrodes 11a and 11b (or the electrodes 13a and 13b) but also to clean dirt on the windows 12a and 12b (or the windows 14a and 14b) by applying an alternating voltage across the electrodes 11a and 11b (or the electrodes 13a and 13b). This makes it possible to accurately measure an amount of charge of toner. As mentioned above, the fourth measuring device for an amount of charge of toner according to an embodiment of the present invention has an arrangement such that the light source 15 is a semiconductor laser which illuminates the vicinity of the focus of the magnifying optical system in a prescribed cycle in the first, second or third measuring device for an amount of charge of toner. The above arrangement makes it possible to measure speed of toner particles and an amount of charge of toner simultaneously. Therefore, the measurement can be made rapidly. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departure from the scope thereof as defined by the claims.

Claims: A measuring device (20) for an amount of charge of toner particles, comprising: a chamber (1) arranged for receiving toner particles, the chamber comprising opposing first and second electrodes (11a,11b;13a,13b); a voltage generator (8) for applying a voltage across said first and second electrodes so as to form an electric field which accelerates toner particles passing through the chamber; a magnifying optical system (6) for magnifying an image of the toner particles which move between said first and second electrodes; a light source (15); and an image pickup means (7) for receiving an optical image of the toner particles magnified by said magnifying optical system so as to convert the optical image into an image signal; characterised by : said light source (15) being arranged for illuminating the vicinity of the focus of said magnifying optical system (6); and control means (9,10) for controlling said voltage from the voltage generator (8) based upon said image signal so that the toner particles pass a prescribed position in the vicinity of the focus of said magnifying optical system (6), and for obtaining an amount of charge of the toner particles from the value of said voltage. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the chamber (1) further comprises first and second windows (12a,12b;14a,14b), the first window preventing the toner particles from adhering to said light source (15), the second window preventing the toner particles from adhering to said magnifying optical system (6). A measuring device as defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second windows (12a,12b;14a,14b) are composed of a translucent substrate and a conductive coating which has been formed on opposite inner surfaces thereof where the toner particles pass. A measuring device as defined in claim 3, wherein said first electrode (11a;13a) is connected to said second electrode (11b;13b) through the conductive coating in said first window (12a;14a) and through the conductive coating in said second window (12b;14b). A measuring device as defined in claim 3, wherein said first electrode (11a;13a) is connected to the conductive coating in said first window (12a;14a) and said second electrode (11b;13b) is connected to the conductive coating in said second window (12b;14b). A measuring device as defined in claim 5, further comprising: a first switch means for connecting said first electrode (11a;13a with the conductive coating in said second window (12b;14b); a second switch means for connecting said second electrode (11b;13b) with the conductive coating in said first window (12a;14a); and a voltage applying means (8) for applying an alternating voltage between said first and second electrodes. A measuring device as defined in claim 3, wherein the translucent substrate of said first and second windows (12a,12b;14a,14b) is composed of glass and the conductive coating is composed of SnO 2 and Cr. A measuring device as defined in claim 3, wherein the electrical sheet resistance of the conductive coating is of the order of 1kΩ/cm 2 . A measuring device as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for grounding said first and second electrodes (13a,13b) in order to obtain mass of the toner particles from fall speed of the toner particles. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surfaces of said first and second electrodes (13a,13b) are set so as to be both horizontal so that said first and second electrodes can accelerate the toner particles in an opposite direction to gravity. A measuring device as defined in claim 10, wherein said control means (10) controls the voltage generated from the voltage generator (8) so that the gravitational force which is applied to the toner particles is cancelled by the electric field force applied thereto. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein said image pickup means is a CCD sensor (7). A measuring device as defined in claim 12, wherein said CCD sensor (7) is an area sensor. A measuring device as defined in claim 13, wherein said light source (15) is a semiconductor laser which emits light in a prescribed cycle. A measuring device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said CCD sensor is a line sensor. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a photosensitive drum; a developing unit (5) for allowing charged toner to adhere to said photosensitive drum according to image information; and a measuring device, as defined in claim 1, for measuring an amount of charge of toner which has been charged in said developing unit. An image forming apparatus as defined in claim 16, further comprising: an extraction electrode (41) for extracting toner charged in said developing unit (5); and a pump (2) for carrying the toner extracted by said extraction electrode to said chamber (1) and through the passage between said first and second electrodes (11a,11b; 13a,13b). An image forming apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said extraction electrode (41) is a part of said photosensitive drum.

Inventors: TANIGUCHI KEIJI, WADA TAKASUMI, YAMAMOTO YOICHI, TANIGUCHI, KEIJI, WADA,TAKASUMI, YAMAMOTO, YOICHI
Applicants: SHARP KK, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G01N27, G01R29, G03G15